Jemmy's Farewell

Published by Robert Sayer in 1786, this print shows a well-dressed sailor in a striped suit taking leave of his sweetheart, who wears plumes in her hair. They stand at the edge of a verdant shore. She dabs at her face with a handkerchief and holds on to his jacket. The sailor wraps one arm around her shoulders to comfort her and with the other gestures towards a figure with a boat at the edge of the water. The title, 'Jemmy's Farewell', is inscribed beneath the image, together with several lines from the Scottish ballad ‘Auld Robin Grey’, written by Lady Anne Lindsay in 1772.

‘Auld Robin Grey’ is narrated by a young woman who is in love with a man named Jamie (spelt ‘Jemmy’ on this print). This print depicts the moment in the song where he goes away to sea in order to earn money so that they can marry. However, while he is away, the woman’s father is injured and cannot work. Her mother also falls sick, and the woman cannot earn enough to support them both on her own. She therefore marries a kind old man called Robin Grey, who promises to look after her and her parents. Jamie returns from the sea a few weeks after the marriage and comes to see the woman. They have a sad reunion, kiss, and tear themselves away from each other. The woman resolves to do her best to be a good wife to Robin, though she is extremely sad at the loss of her true love.

Sayer also published a corresponding print showing the moment in the story when Jamie/Jemmy returns, an impression of which is PAF4044.

The story of the sailor going to sea to gain wealth so that he could marry – and of what happened upon his return – was a common trope in sentimental prints and literature during the eighteenth century. Although sailors' pay was low, prize money from captured enemy ships provided an opportunity to gain wealth.